In an interview with The Times Online, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick made it very clear that if Sony does not lower the price of the PS3 then the games publisher will cease support for the console.
Stating that ROIC was much, much higher on the Nintendo Wii and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 last year. Activision ponied up $500 million last year on royalties to the Japanese company whose gaming division netted a $597 million loss.
“They have to cut the price, because if they don’t, the attach rates [the number of games each console owner buys] are likely to slow. If we are being realistic, we might have to stop supporting Sony.” Ask when and he says: “When we look at 2010 and 2011, we might want to consider if we support the console — and the PSP [portable] too.”
I find this BS interesting, I am sure the PS3 will lower the price although I am not convinced it should. The PS3 is $399 for the 80GB unit (greatest hits MotorStorm/Resistance). The 160GB PS3 Drake’s Fortune pack is $469.79.
The Xbox 360 60GB unit is $299 a better price and you could go for the Arcade pack $199 but that has zero hard drive so you have to stick something on it and that will move it up the price stack. The Xbox 360 Elite 120 GB is $399 (unless you got that great Dell deal.)
So it’s $50 dollars cheaper but don’t forget it doesn’t come with wireless networking. If I want to DIY I have eat up more power ports behind my entertainment system still spend at least $50 or spend $99 with MS to get it. Putting that Xbox Elite same as or slightly higher then PS3.
When I purchased my Xbox Elite (thanks Dell) I was like yeah this is going to be great. I soon realized it was more expensive then my PS3. The wireless adapter $99, additional wireless controllers $65 a pop. Wireless is built in my PS3 and a new DualShock controller is $43 and they are already rechargable.
Maybe Sony should make a quick release drive cover and sell units with small built in OS memory and no hard drives. I bet they could sell them for $199 as well.
Big James
Plus $50 a year to play online. There is a definite disconnect between value and perceived value. I mean, OK, you don’t *have* to do the wireless thing – but that’s a pretty nice feature to have. And M$ charges way too much for their adapter. And I’m shocked the hard drive thing didn’t bite them in the butt – not offering one on the arcade model seemed crazy. But I guess developers just ignored that model. I was expecting some consternation over having to take it into account…but nothing.
The biggest complaint I see on the PS3 is not the price it’s the development factor if the penetration (get your minds out of the gutter) level was higher developers wouldn’t mind working on it as much.
As it stands because the numbers are lower then previous units developers are a little put off for working on it. I would be too if it is as difficult to develop on as most vendors say.
Big James
Well gentlemen we all know that the xbox can rise in cost very quickly, but the market Activision and other game studios are going after isn’t the market your in. The hardcore gamer can undoubtedly plop down 400 to 500 dollars on a console for either the xbox or ps3 but a casual gamer needs the lowest bar for entry and would rather decide later if he/she would like to upgrade the components. When they do get the lower priced console they might be inclined to buy a few games along with it. In situations like this you can’t just defend what you would do, you have to put yourself in other people’s shoes.
@Big James – I’m not sure about the Dell deal, but I already have a 360 so I’m good. I agree with you about the wireless adapter (I’m wireless on my PS3 and wired on my 360 for that reason), but the 360 wireless controller is only $35 to $45.
I think this is a push from developer(s) to get a PS3 price drop in order to increase install base and software sales. Games routinely sell twice as many copies (or at least many thousands more) on 360 than PS3. It just makes sense to concentrate on the console that makes you more money. That being said, I believe Activision (and Ubisoft if the rumors are true) would just as soon sell more games on PS3 than stop making games for the PS3. IMO.
isnt it a bit too obvious that microsoft paid activision to say this BS. Basically they are trying to say that don’t buy ps3, buy xbox 360 or wii. Microsoft paid you to say this BS activision.
I sure that Sony will reduce the price considering customers like us.